Soun's Palace warns against unauthorized use of monarch's photo in publicity stunts

Soun’s Palace warns against unauthorized use of monarch’s photo in publicity stunts

By Yinka ADETUNJI

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The Palace of the Soun of Ogbomosoland has cautioned individuals and organizations against the use of the photo and name of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, in public invitations and promotional materials in ways that suggest royal participation or endorsement without proper communication and authorization.

The warning followed the circulation of an invitation for the proposed grand opening of an Islamic academy in Ogbomoso, and the commemoration of the fifth Imamship anniversary of Imam Yunus Olushina Teliat Ayilara II, both scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2026.

The invitation reportedly listed the Soun as one of the Royal Fathers of the Day, a development the Palace described as lacking transparency, declaring the Oba was not informed formally of the event and wondered why Kabiyesi’s name is being splattered in publicity materials. It now described the development as undermining royal protocol, transparency and respect for the traditional institution.

According to sources close to the Palace of the Soun, “No formal invitation or official notification was received by the Soun concerning a programme regarding the proposed grand opening of an Islamic College in Ogbomoso, and the commemoration of the fifth Imamship anniversary of Imam Yunus Olushina Teliat Ayilara II, both scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2026. The monarch did not receive any invitation; however, we found it amusing that Kabiyesi’s name is being used as Royal Father of the Day with his photograph conspicuously used in publicity materials. This dents royal protocol, transparency and respect for the traditional institution.”

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Palace questions basis for royal representation

The notice by the Palace further stressed the need to distinguish between extending an invitation to a traditional ruler and securing the monarch’s participation or endorsement.

It maintained that the “inclusion of the Soun’s photograph and name in promotional materials could create the impression that the Palace had accepted the invitation or approved the programme, even when such participation had not been formally established.”

The Palace therefore urged, “Organisers of events and members of the public need to adhere to established channels of communication and royal protocol when seeking the participation of the monarch in public events. This is an ambush which would not however achieve the expected result.”

Raises concerns over previous disagreements

The notice also referred to videos circulating on social media which reportedly showed attempts by the Imam and individuals associated with him to seek forgiveness from the Soun over previous disagreements.

However, it questioned whether the Imam had personally appeared before the throne to address the issues and seek reconciliation.

It recalled public statements attributed to the Imam questioning the Soun’s role in his emergence as Chief Imam, including claims that the monarch did not appoint him to the position, as well as reports of derogatory remarks directed at the throne.

Against this background, the Palace questioned what it described as an apparent contradiction between those positions and the subsequent use of the monarch’s image in promotional materials.

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Calls for integrity in religious leadership

The Palace said the matter went beyond personal disagreements, touching on the ethical responsibilities expected of religious leaders.

It submitted, “Religious leadership demands honesty, transparency, consistency and respect for established institutions, adding that public representations should not create misleading impressions about the involvement or endorsement of traditional authorities.”

The notice also emphasised that disagreements with the throne should be handled with maturity and through appropriate channels.

Outlines position on use of monarch’s image

The Palace stated that the Soun’s image and name should not be used in ways that suggest royal participation or endorsement without appropriate communication and authorisation.

It called for genuine invitations to be conveyed through established royal channels, while urging religious and traditional institutions to treat one another with dignity and respect.

The notice clarified that the position was not intended to deny anyone the right to organise religious programmes, celebrate anniversaries or establish educational institutions, but to address issues of truthfulness, institutional boundaries and respect.

It described the Soun’s throne as an embodiment of the history, heritage, identity a d dignity of the people of Ogbomosoland, warning against its for publicity in frivolous manners.

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“The Soun’s throne as an institution represents the history, heritage, identity and collective dignity of the Ogbomoso people, we thus warn against its use for publicity, personal branding or perceived legitimacy without proper engagement.”

The Palace urged the public not to assume that the appearance of a monarch’s photograph on an invitation automatically means that the Palace has received, accepted or endorsed the invitation.

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